Pirfenidone and Fatigue: What Users Say

• JSP...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 19, 2023

Pirfenidone for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis "Have been taking Esbriet since 2017, so a bit over 5 years. Overall, I have been stable with regard to liver panel results. I have lost some 40 pounds during that time and do experience fatigue constantly. I also have arthritic knees, so I do experience pain daily but not sure there has been any worsening or correlation to Esbriet. Bathroom habits seem to change all the time… sometimes can hardly get there in time, while others it seems a struggle to complete the task. My cough has worsened, getting up in the morning, I spend the first hours coughing and trying to clear things out. Cold air will trigger coughing spells, so I find I need to wear a mask if out walking the dog or out in the yard. When I was first diagnosed, I was told the average mortality was 2-5 years, and I am in year 6 and overall still feeling pretty good. My pulmonologist feels the Esbriet has been helpful in slowing down the progress."

• J C...
• November 1, 2024

For Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis "Mostly nausea feeling for a duration of a few months. Itchy skin, prone to sunburns. Some dizzy episodes, loss of some appetite, which results in loss of weight. Feeling listless, loss of energy. Had to reduce dosage to cope with everything. It has helped to delay my condition, and after four years I have yet to use oxygen, but I know someday that will happen."

• Jus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2024

"Nine tabs a day put me in a complete brain fog, and all I wanted to do was sleep. Two/Three/Three caps every other day. Fatigue, brain fog on those days. Two/Two/Three caps a day decreased my eating drastically, and I have zero motivation to do anything. Two/Two/Two caps seems to be the prime amount I can take. Eat more, food tastes better, and I am almost normally active. At least I want to do more things, and I can get stuff done. Now to break this dosage to the doctor. I can't tell if this drug is doing anything beneficial. My last pulmonary breathing test was better."

• Ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2024

Pirfenidone for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis "Taking medication for approximately 3 months. Always taken with food. Very little to no side effects. The only notable side effect is fatigue."

• Ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2024

For Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis "Developed rash, insomnia, body aches, and fatigue, occasionally gastric distress, flatulence!"